Capacity increase for Camden's Electric Ballroom

The Electric Ballroom in London’s Camden is to increase its capacity, following a hearing at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.

The venue, which has featured performances from Paul McCartney, U2 and Prince, will increase its capacity from 1,100 to 1,500.

Councillors on Camden’s licensing committee had blocked the application in January. At the appeal hearing this week the council changed position, allowing the change in capacity to go ahead in full.

Venue manager Kate Fuller said: “This is a brilliant outcome for the Electric Ballroom, and also for grass roots music venues everywhere. We tried to show that we are different, and that our patrons just want to enjoy music. It seems the message is getting though.”

The Electric Ballroom was represented by Sarah Clover, barrister at Kings Chambers Birmingham, and licensing consultant Niall Forde. The court made an award to the Electric Ballroom for costs against Camden Council.